Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder - description, symptoms (Mania Or Manic Episode, Depression Or Depressive Episode) and treatment.

From high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness. Manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and depression is the other. The flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbance in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. This is a long-term illness and must be carefully managed throughout a person's life (there is no known cure). Children that have bipolar disorder can have multiple cycles during the day from giddy, silly highs to morose, gloomy suicidal depressions.

Two things should be checked by the doctor before diagnosing bipolar disorder and are NOT TO BE CONFUSED with bipolar symptoms: substance abuse and thyroid disorders. They both affect moods, and are easily determined with a blood test.

Causes: Doctors and researchers do not know exactly what causes bipolar disorder, but a variety of biological, genetic, and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness.

Signs and Symptoms

Mania Or Manic Episode:

increased energy, activity, and restlessness
excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
extreme irritability
racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
distractibility, can't concentrate well
little sleep needed
unrealistic beliefs of one's abilities and powers
poor judgment
spending sprees
a lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
increased sexual drive (hyper-sexuality)
abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
denial that anything is wrong

Depression Or Depressive Episode:

lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
restlessness or irritability
sleeping too much
change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness
thought of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Treatment

Medications: Most people with bipolar disorder must take medication to regulate their moods. Lithium has been widely used for this. Also such medications as Depakote, Lamictal, and Topamax have been used. Antidepressants take the edge off the depressive episodes. These may include Paxil, Prozac, Sarafem, Zoloft or Wellbutrin.

Psychotherapy: This approach is often used simultaneously with medications. Your therapist can help with detecting patterns leading to episodes. Psychotherapy helps provide strategies for managing stress, coping with uncertainties, and basic education about the nature of the disease. An on-going and long-term therapeutic treatment might be necessary in a Residential Treatment Center.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (Ect): Doctors use this form of treatment mainly in people who have episodes of major depression associated with suicidal tendencies or in people whose medication has proved to be ineffective. IN this treatment, electrodes are taped to your head. Then, while you're anesthetized and after you've received a muscle relaxant, a small amount of electrical current is passed through your brain for less than a second. ECT profoundly affects brain metabolism and blood flow to various areas of the brain. This therapy is often highly effective.